OverEasy wrote:I can tell you about 2 revolver failures I had.
1) I was shooting Sellier & Bellot semi jacketed .357 mag ammo in a Charter 2000 'Mag Pug' SS(.357) revolver. The jacket material was comming off the bullets and wedging between the end of the barrel and the cylinder, jamming the cylinder. I bought the S&B .357 mag ammo for $8/50. I returned all of it for a refund.
2) The ejector rod,cylinder axis rod, whatever you want to call it broke in half one day.(same Charter 'Mag Pug') When I swung the cylinder out to eject the empties, it and all the associated cylinder parts fell on the ground.
YES! I got rid of the 'Mag Pug'!!!
I have an old Charter Arms Undercover .38 spl in SS that has been flawless for years.
So it is possible to have problems with a revolver.
Just my .02, OE
As you say, wheelguns are not immune to "jams" or failures. Most "failures" are not due to their design though, more often..neglect in one area or another is the culprit.
I've seen jams caused by "high primers" where the cartridge gets pinched between the back of the cylinder and the recoil shroud (usually with reloads).
A poorly "timed" revolver can shave lead (or jackets) because the cylinder doesn't line up properly with the forcing cone. Debris can build up and cause a jam.
"Bullet creep" can cause a jam when the bullet moves forward in its casing resulting in the nose of the bullet sticking out the front of the cylinder.
You can jam a revolver when ejecting spent cases if you don't eject them forcefully. This can allow a case to slip under the ejector star (very bad).
Your revolver can "disassemble itself" (as in ejector rods, screws, etc) if you don't check them occasionally. (very, very bad).
No, they're far from perfect, but..a good quality revolver, with good quality ammo, properly maintained, will be a pretty reliable weapon and simple to operate.